The past few weeks, the Black Lives Matter movement has been cast into the international spotlight after several violent and unjust events involving the discrimination of blacks have been displayed across social media. On Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter, several posts and comments demanding black justice and fair prosecution of those who have committed crimes against the black community are being spread daily. Problems relating to racism, violence, and unjust treatment of people of color have been occurring for hundreds of years without end or proper justice. The spread of recent events has brought this conflict to its ultimate boiling point, with thousands protesting, rioting, and rallying together to promote the value and respect of black lives. Members of the human race are teaming up all around the world to promote positivity and acceptance of black people all throughout society. One of the best ways to combat conflict is to educate and be educated. Gaining a broader sense of perspective and understanding of this issue could ultimately minimize its presence. Listed below are several movies and books that give an inside look into what it’s like to be treated unfairly simply because of one’s skin color. Brands and organizations promoting kindness and acceptance of the black community can be found farther down.

Movies

• See You Yesterday (2019-Sci-Fi): Netflix Original 
• The Help (2011-Historical Drama): Netflix, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, Itunes, Hulu, Google Play, and Youtube
• The Hate U Give (2018-Drama): Youtube, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, Itunes, and Hulu
• Do The Right Thing (1989-Drama/Comedy): Vudu, Google Play, Itunes, Amazon Prime Video, and Youtube
• Selma (2014-Historical Drama): Youtube, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and Itunes
• Just Mercy (2019-Legal Drama): Vudu, Google PLay, Youtube, and Itunes
• Malcolm X (1992-Historical Drama): Netflix, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, Itunes, Youtube, and Google Play
• Hidden Figures (2016-Historical Drama): Hulu, Vudu, Google Play, Youtube, Amazon Prime Video, and Itunes
• Fences (2016-Drama): Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, Youtube, Itunes, and Google Play
• Race (2016-Sport Drama): Youtube, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and Vudu

Documentaries

• 13th (2016): Netflix
• The Black Power Mixtape (2011): Google Play, Itunes, Youtube, and Sling TV
• I Am Not Your Negro (2016): Youtube, Itunes, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu
• Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland (2018): Hulu, HBO Max, HBO Go, and Amazon Prime Video
•  Freedom Riders (2010): Amazon Prime Video
•  Slavery by Another Name (2012): PBS
•  Eyes on the Prize (1987-documentary series): PBS
•  Soundtrack for a Revolution (2009): Tubi and Vudu
•  Dark Girls (2011): Youtube and Amazon Prime Video
•  More than a Month (2012): Itunes

Books

• The Underground Railroad (2017)
• The Hate U Give (2017)
• The Color Purple (2011)
• X (2016)
• I know Why the Caged Bird Sings (2011)
• I Am Alfonso Jones (2017)
• Dear Martin (2017)
• Black Boy (2011) 
• Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice (2009) 
• Black Enough (2019)

Organizations

• Black Lives Matter: seeking “justice, freedom, and healing” for the black community.
• Black Visions Collective: steering away from violence and brutality and promoting leadership and cooperation.
• Color of Change:strive to promote civil rights for all.
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): maintain influence in the nations legal systems to aid and protect the civil rights and justice of people.
• The Loveland Foundation: aimed at helping women and girls of color heal themselves and receive financial support.
• The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund: fight for racial justice and investigate murders by police.
• Black in Green (BIG): aimed at gathering black women to secure green and economically-friendly energy, resources, and jobs for their communities.
• Dream Defenders: a group of multiracial people gathering together to create a future rid of police and prisons, but full of opportunity and promise.
• The Black Youth Project: a writers collective/news-site that examines modern-day culture, news, and attitudes of black youth. 
• The BlackOUT Collective: they believe that black people taking action and making changes will result in a shift in the role black people play in today’s society. 

Brands supporting the BLM movement

• Rent The Runway
• Uniqlo
• LEGO
• Stella McCartney
• Nike
• Hypland
• Etsy
• Gap
• Lululemon
• Fabletics

The sources provided above are only the start of a huge wealth of knowledge on black history and injustice. When attempting to solve this centuries-long problem the first step to take is to educate ourselves and our communities on the pain and suffering this community has endured. Knowledge is power and with that power we can learn to respect each other with the understanding of our history and reality to create a brighter future. 

More brands supporting BLM: https://www.popsugar.com/photo-gallery/47521085/embed/47521357/Fabletics